Mobile scanning apps have surged in popularity in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. With improvements in smartphone camera quality and a huge variety of free scanning apps available, capturing high-resolution images of your documents has never been easier.
Whether it’s receipts, letters, artwork, IDs, or even family recipes, mobile scanning apps allow you to scan and store documents with ease, even if you don’t own a traditional scanner.
Many mobile scanning apps include OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software, allowing you to convert scanned documents into searchable, editable text, which can save time and improve organization.
Whether you’re looking for a cost-free option for occasional scanning tasks or are ready to invest in a paid app with more robust features, there are options to fit every situation.
With so many apps claiming to be the best app for scanning documents, choosing the right one can be a bit overwhelming.
Thankfully, we’ve sifted through all of the most popular mobile scanning apps, trying and testing each one, so you don’t have to! Our goal was to find apps that not only promise great features but also deliver on those promises, are easy to use, affordable, and produce high-quality scans.
Each app listed here excels in its own way, and we’ve left out the ones that didn’t measure up. Below are our findings after hours of testing—feel free to explore the apps that interest you, or skip to the bottom for details on how we tested each app.
Table of Contents
- CamScanner
- Microsoft Lens
- Genius Scan
- Adobe Scan
- Swift Scan
- Simple Scanner
- AI Scanner
- Tiny Scanner
- TapScanner
- Scan Shot
CamScanner
Platform: IOS and Android
Rating: Android: 4.8 · 4,780,096 reviews, IOS: 4.9 · 1,473,685 reviews
Our pick for the best paid mobile scanning app.
CamScanner impressed with its robust feature set and sophisticated OCR technology, making it our top choice as the best paid mobile scanning app.
CamScanner offers a 3-day free trial, giving users a chance to explore its premium features before committing to a $39.99 annual subscription ($29.99 for the first year). which we think is a fair price given the feature set and how well the app performed in our test. There’s also a free version available, which includes a limited selection of features, perfect if you only need to do occasional, light scanning.
CamScanner stands out for its exceptional ability to transform text found in both printed documents and handwritten notes to digital text. It’s OCR capabilities were better with handwritten text than any of the other apps we tested, making it a great choice for those who want to transform their scans into editable documents.
Another thing we really liked about CamScanner is its seamless export to Word feature. The process was smooth, and the converted Word documents kept most of their original formatting and were easy to edit, showcasing the app’s high-quality OCR capabilities. This makes CamScanner a great choice for anyone who wants to edit their text after scanning, especially for those who prefer working with Word documents.
CamScanner also caters to students and educators by offering an educational version of the app that provides all the features of the free version, while removing ads and watermarks. We thought this was pretty cool, and of the apps we tested, it was the only one to offer an educational license for students.
The app’s compatibility with Google accounts for sync purposes is another huge plus, making it a great choice for users who rely on Google’s services for document management.
However, during our testing, we had a few challenges during the initial scanning process. CamScanner occasionally struggled with correctly adjusting the angles of the scan, leading to distorted or skewed images. While this was easily fixable with a rescan, it’s a consideration for those who need quick, accurate scans on the first try.
Overall, with its user-friendly interface and wide range of features, CamScanner is a strong contender in the mobile scanning app market. It’s an excellent choice for anyone who values accurate text conversion and is ready to invest in a high-quality app.
Microsoft Office Lens
Platform: IOS and Android
Rating: Android: 4.8 · 925,949 reviews, IOS: 4.8 · 122,591 reviews
The perfect app for users already in the Microsoft Ecosystem
Microsoft Office Lens is as robust and versatile as a mobile scanning app can get. It’s highly rated by it’s users, showcasing its reliability and effectiveness from reviewers across both Android and iOS platforms. One of the key highlights of Office Lens is its ability to export scanned documents in a variety of Microsoft Office formats, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, making it the perfect app for users already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Office Lens was one of the few apps we tested that allowed PDF exports in the free version, making it a great option for anyone needing quick PDF scans without a paid plan.
he app includes a range of editing and cropping tools to help adjust scans that didn’t turn out as expected. One unique feature Office Lens offered that no other app did was is its immersive reader, which reads OCR-converted text out loud, although we weren’t sure how many people would actually use this feature.
Speaking of OCR, the app performed well in our tests in recognizing and converting text. However, we observed an issue with the formatting of our scanned form. The content from the right-hand side was pushed down below the content on the left, which compromised its usability in our test. If retaining the formatting of your document is important, this app might not work for you.
Office Lens also fell a bit short is in its handling of handwritten text. Our tests indicated that the app does not fare well in recognizing and converting handwritten notes, which might be a deal breaker for users who frequently work with handwritten documents.
Despite these limitations, the overall ease of use and comprehensive feature set of Microsoft Office Lens position it as a strong contender in the document scanning app arena, particularly for those who want to export documents into Microsoft formats, and for those who demand high-quality digital scans.
Genius Scan
Platform: IOS and Android
Rating: Android: Rating: 4.9 · 435,328 reviews, IOS: 4.9 · 1,170,194 reviews
The most user-friendly among the scanning apps we tested
The first thing we noticed about Genius Scan was its clean interface and the smooth user experience. In our opinion, it stood out as the most user-friendly app among those we tested. This makes it a great choice for anyone who isn’t particularly tech-savvy or simply prefers a straightforward, hassle-free app for their scanning needs.
Genius Scan allows users to create both PDF and JPEG files, but advanced functionality like OCR and password protection are only available in the paid version. To unlock these features, users can choose the $0.99 per month subscription or the more comprehensive enterprise version at $24.99, which includes cloud sync and unlimited backups. However, even the free version provides significant value, including the ability to export to PDF.
Another standout feature is the app’s organizational tools, which let users manage their scanned documents by sorting them into folders. This is especially helpful for anyone who scans different types of documents and needs a simple, organized storage system.
In terms of OCR performance, Genius Scan did well with printed text, albeit with a few minor errors. However, like many other apps we tested, it had difficulty with handwriting, often failing to deliver usable results. This is something to keep in mind for users who need dependable handwriting recognition.
Overall, Genius Scan presents a solid option for those seeking a user-friendly and efficient document scanning solution, with the caveat that some of its more advanced features come at an additional cost.
Adobe Scan
Platform: IOS and Android
Rating: Android: 4.7 · 2,847,782 reviews, IOS: 4.9 · 1,375,915 reviews
Stands out for its advanced image correction features
Adobe Scan, available on both iOS and Android, uses AI technology to enhance the scanning experience. It excels at correcting image perspective and sharpening both handwritten and printed text. The app also features tools to remove glares and shadows, making it a reliable option for producing clear, high-quality scans in various environments.
Adobe Scan offers a 7-day free trial, followed by a $9.99 monthly subscription. For those with an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, Adobe Scan is included, adding extra value to their existing plan.
A limitation of the free version is that it only allows exports in JPEG format. However, upgrading to the paid version unlocks a wider range of export options, including PDF and Word.
As you’d expect from an Adobe product, the app offers excellent filters and image processing. These filters are especially effective at removing smudges and scribbles from documents, enhancing the overall clarity of your scans.
One standout feature is its ability to scan ID cards, capturing both the front and back, then merging them into a single image seamlessly.
Instead of a standard OCR feature, Adobe Scan integrates with Adobe Acrobat, delivering the most accurate OCR results in our tests. This integration also provides access to familiar Acrobat features like fill and sign, printing, and PDF compression to reduce file size. The downside, however, is that users need to switch between two separate applications to complete their scans, which may disrupt the workflow for some.
Another strength of Adobe Scan is its edge detection, which automatically corrects image angles, making the scanning process faster and more efficient.
Overall, Adobe Scan shines with its advanced image correction tools, excellent filters, and seamless integration with Adobe’s ecosystem, making it a top choice for those seeking a professional-grade scanning solution.
SwiftScan
Platform: IOS and Android
Rating: Android: 4.1 · 63,604 reviews, IOS: 4.8 · 18,952 reviews
Offers a robust set of features for iOS users
SwiftScan offers a ton of great features, including automatic edge detection and image enhancement, making it a strong contender in the mobile scanning app market.
However, these advanced features, along with an ad-free experience and unlimited scans, are available only with the Pro version, which costs $24.99 per year. The good news is, SwiftScan offers a 3-day trial, allowing users to test the app before committing to a paid subscription.
Swiftscan includes features like cloud sync and electronic signatures, making it a convenient option for users who need to store and sign documents on the go.
When it comes to OCR performance, SwiftScan handles printed text well. However, during our invoice scan test, while the extracted text was accurate, all formatting was lost. This made the text difficult to read and work with. Additionally, the app’s handwriting recognition performance was underwhelming, with almost none of the handwritten text being accurately converted.
A great feature that was recently added to SwiftScan is the ability to fax documents directly from the app. This is a unique feature we did not find in any of the other apps we tested and could be a unique selling point for some users. Its important to note that sending faxes does require a credit system and has its own additional fees for delivered faxes.
During testing, we found that SwiftScan’s initial scanning process requires a bit more user input compared to other apps. It doesn’t automatically apply cropping or filters, instead asking users to manually confirm these adjustments, which may feel less intuitive to some. Still, with a bit of tweaking, we were able to achieve excellent results using its filters.
Overall, SwiftScan offers a robust set of features for its users, especially in its Pro version. However, its less intuitive interface and limitations in OCR accuracy, particularly with handwritten text, are points to consider.
Simple Scanner
Platform: IOS and Android
Rating: Android: 4.7 · 414,276 reviews, IOS: 4.9 · 795 reviews
The perfect app for casual scanning needs
Simple Scanner, available on both Android and Apple devices, offers a blend of features in its free version that are perfect for casual scanning needs. A standout feature is its ability to export scans to PDF format, a feature that is not always available in free versions of other scanning apps we tested.
The OCR capability of Simple Scanner is another plus. It efficiently converts text from scanned documents and even allows you to export the text extracted from your document as a .txt file, which is helpful for those who need to work with the text later but don’t own a text editing app like Word.
It’s important to note that while the free version of Simple Scanner does include ads, this isn’t a universal feature across all similar apps. However, for many users, this may not be an issue, considering the app’s overall utility.
For those who require more advanced features, such as cloud integration with services like Google Drive or Dropbox, Simple Scanner offers a paid version. After an initial 3 day free trial period, a yearly subscription is available for $29.99 per year.
The only downside we found, if you could even call it that, is that the app’s cropping function, which appears post-capture, may require a bit of getting used to. In our tests we found we needed to manipulate the edges manually more frequently than other apps, which really isn’t a big deal at all. That said, it could annoy users, as in many of our tests the edges of the document were improperly detected and needed adjustment.
When we tested this app, we noticed that the IOS reviews were far and few between. Now upon updating the article, we see only a few additional reviews have accumulated since last year. That might be notable, that this app is not nearly as popular on Apple devices.
Overall, Simple Scanner is a great option for those in need of a straightforward and budget-friendly scanning solution, especially considering its PDF export and OCR capabilities in the free version.
AI Scanner
Platform: Android
Rating: Android: 4.3 · 13,212 reviews
Export To Word with ease due to effective OCR
AI Scanner, with its intuitive and straightforward interface, offers a functional and accessible experience for Android users. Garnering a 4.3 rating from about 13,212 votes, it demonstrates its appeal to a broad user base.
One of the key aspects of AI Scanner is its effective OCR capability. In our tests, it was one of the few apps that successfully retained the original document’s formatting during text conversion, which is a significant advantage for those who need to scan documents like invoices and receipts.
The app also supports scan to PDF functionality and offers multilingual OCR, catering to the needs of a diverse range of users. During our testing, we found that while the scanning process was straightforward, it did require some manual adjustment. The app’s edge detection, although manual, was user-friendly, and its enhancement features effectively removed shadows from the scans.
AI Scanner offers a 3-day trial, which, if not canceled, leads to a $9.99 per month subscription. This trial period provides users with an opportunity to explore the app’s features before committing to a paid subscription.
A particularly unique feature of AI Scanner is its ‘Count similar objects’ tool. This functionality allows users to count the number of items in an image, a feature that could be invaluable for professionals in various industries, such as construction or inventory management. This capability, alongside the app’s other features, contributes to AI Scanner’s versatility and uniqueness in the scanning app market.
Tiny Scanner
Platform: IOS and Android
Rating: Android: 4.7 · 2.4M reviews, IOS: 4.8 · 141,851 reviews
Effective filters and a straightforward scanning experience.
Tiny Scanner, with its easy-to-use interface, offers a straightforward scanning experience. It includes a 3-day trial followed by an affordable $19.99 yearly subscription.
While its edge detection can be challenged by shadows, manually adjusting them is very easy, making it a minor inconvenience.
The app’s filtering and editing features, though not as extensive as some of its competitors, are effective and sufficient for most users. In fact, some users may actually prefer the simplicity and ease of use.
In our tests, we found that the OCR function is reliable, and the ability to export OCR results to various formats like text files and Word documents is a useful feature.
Tiny Scanner received an update on November 6, 2024.
TapScanner
Platform: IOS and Android
Rating: IOS: 4.7 · 19,008 reviews
User-friendly interface and handy features.
TapScanner stands out with its user-friendly interface and handy features.
It offers the flexibility to save files as PDF, text, or JPEG, and has a unique pricing structure: $3.99 a week or $19.99 a year, seemingly encouraging the yearly subscription.
Its automatic detect and crop feature simplifies the scanning process, and the app guides users through their first scan, making it easy for beginners.
The built-in filters are efficient, and an erase feature helps remove shadows or smudges, though a zoom-in function would be beneficial for finer edits. While its OCR is generally effective, we found that it did occasionally make small errors when converting the text from our printed invoice sample.
Scan Shot
Platform: IOS and Android
Rating: Android: 4.5 · 114,606 reviews, IOS: 4.7 · 50,433 reviews
A decent app stifled by a steep cost.
Scan Shot is a versatile mobile scanning app with a crisp interface that is easy and fun to use. The app provides extensive save to PDF options, including the ability to choose the file size, layout, and format when saving, making it easy to create the PDF you need.
While features like OCR, printing, and PDF password protection require a paid account, Scan Shot does offer a 7-day trial for $.99, which auto-renews at $6.99 weekly. Or you can pick up a monthly subscription for $9.99, which is obviously a much better deal.
It also includes a unique sign feature for adding signatures to scanned documents. However, the OCR, while generally effective, made a few mistakes even on printed samples. While Scan Shot is a well made app, we thought the cost was a bit steep considering the competition.
How We Rated Each App
The best scanning apps stand out by offering an intuitive interface, a rich set of features for various needs, and high-quality results that make you question the need for a desktop scanner.
In our evaluation of the various document scanning apps, we employed a comprehensive approach, taking into account multiple features and aspects to ensure we provide well-rounded and reliable recommendations.
- Scan Quality: The clarity and readability of the scans were top priorities. We evaluated how effectively each app captured text and images, focusing on color accuracy, resolution, and performance across different types of documents.
- Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface and simple functionality were essential. We assessed how easy it was to start a scan, navigate the app, and access key features without unnecessary complexity.
- Feature Set: We looked for apps that struck a balance between essential features included in the free version, and advanced features included in paid plans. This includes text recognition (OCR), image editing tools, multi-page scanning capabilities, and options for saving or sharing documents in various formats.
- Speed and Efficiency: We assessed how quickly and effectively each app processed scans. This was especially important for users who need to scan a large number of documents.
- Security and Privacy: With the scanning of sensitive documents, security features were a key consideration. We examined the security measures each app uses to protect it’s users data, including encryption and privacy policies.
- Compatibility and Integration: e evaluated how well each app functioned across devices and operating systems. Additionally, we looked at the app’s ability to integrate with other services, such as productivity apps, cloud storage, and email.
- Customer Support and Reliability: Reliable customer support and the overall stability of the app were also important factors. We looked into user reviews and feedback to gauge the reliability of each app and the quality of support provided. We did not require any support during our testing.
- Cost-effectiveness: For paid apps, we evaluated whether the features and performance justified the price. For free apps, we considered the presence of ads and any limitations imposed on the free version.
How We Tested Each App
In our effort to provide the most accurate and useful recommendations for document scanning apps, we adopted a detailed and fair testing methodology. We aimed to mirror real-world scenarios to evaluate each app’s performance in everyday conditions. This involved testing each app on two different printed documents, as well as three handwritten samples, including one in cursive, to challenge and assess the apps’ capabilities across various text types.
To ensure the results were as realistic as possible, we conducted all tests under typical household lighting conditions. This approach was chosen to replicate the environments where most users would likely use these apps, such as in their homes or offices. By doing so, we could gauge the performance of these apps in settings that are most common to potential users of these apps.
Additionally, each app was tested using its full paid version. This decision was made to ensure that we could explore and evaluate all the features offered by each app, without being limited by the constraints of free or trial versions. Our goal was to provide a comprehensive assessment of each app’s full potential, enabling users to make an informed decision based on the complete range of functionalities available rather than what is offered by the free version.
Our meticulous approach in testing these apps was designed to ensure that no app was given an unfair advantage and that our evaluation was as thorough and unbiased as possible. We believe this level of careful and detailed testing is crucial in providing valuable insights and trustworthy recommendations to users.
Why Does Our Opinion Matter?
As a seasoned document scanning company with over 21 years of experience in the industry, we bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Our daily operations involve scanning hundreds of thousands of documents, equipping us with a unique perspective on what makes for efficient and effective scanning. This extensive background means we know a thing or two about the ins and outs of document scanning, from the simplest tasks to the most complex projects.
We understand that not every document scanning need requires professional-grade services. Our clients and website visitors often seek simpler, more accessible solutions for their scanning needs. This is precisely why we’ve taken the time to evaluate various mobile scanning apps. Our goal is to provide reliable, expert advice on alternatives that can suit a range of scanning requirements – from a single page to a small batch of documents.
What Mobile Scanning Apps Are Good For
Quick and Convenient Scanning
Mobile scanning apps are a game-changer for quick, on-the-go scanning. Whether you’re at a coffee shop, in a meeting, or traveling, these apps allow you to capture documents instantly. They’re ideal for situations where time is of the essence and traditional scanning methods are not feasible.
Extracting Text from Documents
These apps shine when it comes to extracting printed text from various documents. Utilizing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, they can convert printed text into digital format, making it editable and searchable. This feature is incredibly useful for students, professionals, or anyone needing to digitize and edit text from physical sources.
Storage and Sharing
Most of these apps offer seamless integration with cloud services, allowing you to store and access your scans from anywhere. They also make sharing scanned documents effortless, whether it’s through email, social media, or other digital platforms.
Scanning Unusually Sized Documents
Mobile scanning apps are great at handling documents that don’t conform to standard sizes. Whether you need to scan a large format document, a bulky manual, or an oversized poster, these apps can be the perfect stop-gap when your home or office scanner falls short. They can help you capture the entirety of unusually sized documents, bypassing the need for specialized scanning equipment.
What Scanning Apps Are NOT Good For
Scanning Large Volumes
While mobile scanning apps are convenient for occasional use, they’re not the best choice for scanning large volumes of documents. For extensive scanning tasks, traditional scanners are more efficient and less time-consuming.
Inconsistent Recognition of Handwriting
During our extensive testing of various mobile scanning apps, we uncovered a notable limitation: the inconsistency in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities when it comes to handwritten text. While most of these apps performed well in digitizing printed text, their effectiveness in accurately recognizing and converting handwriting was significantly lacking.
Scanning Sensitive Documents
When scanning sensitive or private information, security becomes a crucial consideration. Mobile apps may pose a risk if the data is stored or transmitted insecurely. It’s important to be cautious and choose apps with robust security features, especially when dealing with confidential documents.
Wrapping Up
After testing out more than 10 of the most popular mobile scanning apps available on the market, one thing is abundantly clear. Regardless of which app you choose, these tools offer convenience, a wide range of features, and the ability to accurately scan documents on the go.
However, for businesses and organizations where scanning needs are more extensive and demand a higher level of security and professionalism, mobile apps definitely fall short.
At SecureScan, we specialize in handling bulk scanning projects for where security matters, ensuring that your sensitive business documents are digitized not just with precision but also with the confidentiality and professionalism that your business requires.
When the volume, complexity, or security requirements of your scanning project exceed what a mobile app can provide, we can help.
Contact us today for more information or get a free quote for your next scanning projects from one of our technicians.